The following provides suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions from the message presented on June 1, 2014. The answers (below the message outline) are designed to stimulate thinking, not prevent it.
1 Tim. 5:22,24; Acts 20:28-30
How do you honor leadership? Continue reading
This message was presented on June 1, 2014 as part of the 1 Timothy series.
How do you follow someone who “has it together”? There are warm-up bands to precede the main band. The JV always precedes the Varsity. They don’t go in reverse. Last Tuesday, Barbara and I went to a middle school band concert and had a good time. Of course the 6th grade band played first, then the 7th grade and finally the 8th grade. You could tell the increasing levels of improvement. Imagine what the audience would be thinking if the 6th grade played last? Continue reading
This is Part 8 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” This concludes this question.
God Allows Suffering in Numerous Other Ways
There are many other reasons why God allows and even initiates the circumstances that produce suffering. Sometimes it is to get the attention of a wayward Christian. David wrote of his horrendous bodily suffering in three Psalms. He wrote about how his “bones grew old…groaning all the day” (Ps. 32:3), “vitality turned into the drought of summer” (Ps. 32:4), “no soundness in my flesh” (Ps. 38:3), “nor any health in my bones” (Ps. 38:3), “bowed down greatly” (Ps. 38: 6), “my loins are full of inflammation” (Ps. 38:7), “I groan because of the turmoil of my heart” (Ps. 38:8), and “the bones You have broken” (Ps. 51:8) as examples of God’s intention to getting David’s attention so that he would flee from sin. The writer of Hebrews made it very clear that God’s love was invoked to restore one of His sinning children,
This is Part 7 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does God allow Suffering?” Part 8 will be posted tomorrow.
God Allows Suffering to Silence His Enemies
The book of Job clearly reveals the Divine side of suffering. While Job did not know why he suffered in pain, the narrative revealed the Divine courtroom of history and the accusations Satan made against Job, and consequently God! God allowed Satan to first destroy Job’s businesses and resources, as well as his ten children. Then God allowed Satan to touch Job’s health with boils, but not take his life. Satan wanted to prove that Job only served God for financial gain and blessing. Job’s silence before God proved not only that God is sovereign but that the humble man will be silent before God, which in turn silenced Satan!
This is Part 6 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” of the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 7-8 will be posted on succeeding days.
God Allows Suffering to Manifest of Love and His Glory
Job was a blameless man (Job 1:1). However, after the intense physical, emotional and relational suffering, he became distorted in his personal view of God. His three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar) promoted a false theology that taught suffering was a result of sin. Elihu (a fourth friend) tried to correct that as Waters writes, Continue reading
This is Part 5 of 8 parts answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question of “Why does God allow suffering?” Part 6-8 will be posted on succeeding days.
God Allows Suffering to Create Greater Dependency Upon Him
Most teenage boys think they are invincible (at least my friends and I did when I was growing up!) Yet, as the years roll by that invincibility slowly changes into the realization of one’s utter frailty and weakness – and then the despair of laborious breathing at death’s door sets in! God allows suffering to reveal our need of His sustaining grace. Continue reading
“Self-Injury” is a short booklet on helping people who inflict pain on themselves. For some who are struggling with emotional issues, pressures, fears, etc., self-injury seems like a good way to protect themselves from something worse. It may not make sense to most people, but the inflicted pain becomes something over which the person, who feels life is out-of-control, can gain some semblance of control, even if it means greater pain. The physical pain becomes a way to mask the emotional and mental stresses of life. It becomes an emotional relief. Self-injury isn’t really an option to the one in pain, it “becomes” a necessity.
The below suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions are from the message presented on May 25, 2014. The answers provided are meant to stimulate greater thinking, not prohibit it. Please seek God’s wisdom in His Scriptures for greater understanding.
Galatians 6:10
How do you show “caring relationships,” especially to widows?
This message was presented on May 25, 2014 as part of the 1 Timothy series.
The vision of our church is Connect, Equip and Multiply. We connect together to worship God, Equip together in grace to become more like Jesus and multiply together with the gospel to reach the world. We have several values also. There are two foundational values. First, Jesus Christ is Lord and second, God’s Word is all sufficient. Upon these two values are five pillar values: Meaningful Worship, Creative Outreach, Caring Relationships, Transforming Discipleship and Faithful Stewardship. The message today will focus on the middle pillar – Caring Relationships. How do you show caring relationships?
This is Part 4 of 8 parts in answering the question, “What are God’s purposes in why He allows suffering?” in the larger question “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 5-8 will be posted beginning on May 29, 2014.
God Allows Suffering to Manifest His Character Through Us
Although suffering and agony are despised, the glory they bring of a soul dependent on Jesus far outshines the sun! As Christians come alongside fellow believers, the Body of Christ manifests unity of the Spirit as they seek His peace. Shared meals, benevolent support and helping hands all contribute to demonstrate the gracious hands of Jesus in supporting believers through their agony. Abiding Christians will not leave one behind. They will not allow one to remain isolated in crippling pain. Continue reading
Shepherding Truth 